Pensacola is a community that celebrates diversity. After all, we are known as the “City of Five Flags.” As Pensacola continues to grow and revitalize, the need for more voices and opportunity is made even more apparent.

As Brian Wyer took this into consideration, he decided it was time to make the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce a more inclusive organization.

“It was time to make a change,” Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brian Wyer said. “We want to get more involvement and provide more opportunity to the community.”

On Oct. 1, the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce made the transition to the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 200 members strong, the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce is already hard at work, helping new businesses like Henny Penny’s Patisserie in Pensacola host a grand opening celebration.

“It goes back to our mission,” Wyer said. “We want to provide more opportunity and be an advocate of the minority community. We want to help people network and pass the message along.”

In the weeks since launching the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, Wyer has seen an influx of new members.

“We’re just getting started. We want to pass the message along. We want everyone to have the same economic opportunity. The same opportunity for growth.”

Brian Wyer, CEO of Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, “We’ve had an outpouring from the Hispanic communities,” Wyer said.

On Friday, the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce hosted a Black Friday Shopping Expo at the Pensacola Improv Event Center. The Black Friday Shopping Expo also doubled as a professional networking event.

“We’re just getting started,” Wyer said. “We want to pass the message along. We want everyone to have the same economic opportunity. The same opportunity for growth. It starts with us.”

The Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce is located at 321 N. DeVillers St., Suite 104 in Pensacola. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. For more information, visit www.gcmcc.info or call 850-438-3993.

Kalyn Wolfe is a freelance columnist for the News Journal. Send new business tips to pcolanewbiz@gmail.com.